The main character recalls the challenges they face at school, where they are often mocked by their classmates. They try to find strength in their family's legacy and the sacrifices made by their grandfather. The main character also defends their mother against rumors about her relationships with influential men in the town. Despite doubts and reasons to question their mother's stories, the main character chooses to have faith in her.
The chapter culminates with the preparations for the town's annual fiesta honoring the Virgin. The main character's school participates in a parade where boys and girls from different schools escort each other. The main character observes the interactions between their classmates and the girls, particularly noticing Annelise, who stands out with her distinctive appearance and aloofness. Despite hoping for a new target for teasing, the main character feels a sense of shame and curiosity about Annelise's presence.
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A few days later, when Annelise came to our doorstep, she struck the brass knocker despite the key her In this continuation, the narrator encounters Annelise, the daughter of their laundress, who has come to do the laundry since her mother couldn't come that day. Annelise is not in uniform but is wearing a shapeless duster. The narrator is surprised to see Annelise and realizes that she doesn't remember them. Annelise introduces herself politely and offers to start the laundry if the narrator shows her where the clothes are. The narrator lets her into the house, and as Annelise works, they engage in a conversation.
The narrator asks about Annelise's mother and learns that she recently gave birth to a son and will be ready to work again next week. The narrator is surprised by this news and suddenly becomes conscious that Annelise will soon be washing their undergarments. In an attempt to avoid this, the narrator retrieves their laundry basket and informs Annelise that their clothes are already clean.
Annelise seems puzzled but shrugs it off. She asks if the narrator has a radio, to which the narrator obliges and brings a small transistor radio from their room. Annelise thanks them, saying they don't have one at home. She tunes it to a radionovela called "Pusong Sinugatan" (Wounded Heart) and starts washing the clothes while listening to the radio.
The story then shifts to a coed Catechism class at the Academy of Our Lady. The narrator spots Annelise among the girls, and during the class, Annelise is chosen to read a passage from the Bible. However, some girls giggle and make comments about the passage, and Annelise confronts them boldly, demanding that they speak directly to her if they have something to say. This catches the attention of Sister Carol, the teacher, who reprimands Annelise and asks someone else to continue reading.
After the class, Father O'Connor announces a partner selection for the upcoming fiesta. By chance, the narrator is paired with Annelise as their names are drawn from the hat. The other students react with discomfort, but the narrator secretly prays that Annelise's name will be chosen. The story then moves to recess, where the narrator and Annelise talk and get to know each other better. Annelise reveals that she is known as the "scholarship girl" and jokes with the narrator about their status.
Annelise's classmates approach them, making derogatory comments about her, but Annelise stands up for herself and tells the narrator not to let those words affect them. The scene shifts to a Physical Education class, where Annelise and the narrator are excused, and they watch their classmates learn a folk dance. The narrator apologizes for not being able to dance due to their condition, but Annelise brushes it off and mentions that she wishes they had their own radio.
The narrator tells Annelise that they listened to the radionovela Pusong Sinugatan the previous night. They discuss the plot and characters, and Annelise expresses her interest in borrowing the radio but explains that they don't have electricity at home. The narrator feels sorry but refrains from expressing it.
At a dance rehearsal, the narrator and Annelise are in charge of serving punch and cake. The Safety girls wear fancy dresses, and the boys wear barong Tagalog. The narrator waits for Annelise, but she doesn't show up. As time passes, the narrator is left alone at the refreshments table. Some girls make derogatory comments about Annelise, saying she is on her period. The narrator waits anxiously for Annelise's arrival but becomes disappointed when she doesn't come.
In Annelise's absence, the teasing from other students resumes, with Pedro and Rizal making fun of the main character. Feeling lonely again, the main character decides to visit Annelise's home in the squatters' colony down the hill. They struggle to navigate the rough terrain in their wheelchair but eventually reach the shacks. The squatters stare at them, and they ask for Annelise's whereabouts. An old woman points them in the right direction, and a young girl offers to push their wheelchair.
They arrive at Annelise's shack, covered by a tarp instead of a door. When the tarp lifts, the main character is surprised to see Dr. Delacruz, the town doctor, emerge from the doorway. Dr. Delacruz is equally surprised to see the main character there. Annelise's mother appears, holding an infant, and seems frightened by the main character's presence.
Annelise calls out from inside, and the main character is taken aback by the smell emanating from her house. Annelise lets out a cry of pain, and Dr. Delacruz quickly ushers the main character away, explaining that Annelise is not in a state for visitors. They return home, and the main character recounts their experiences to Dr. Delacruz, who listens sympathetically.
Despite Dr. Delacruz's usual gestures of kindness, the main character's mother is cold and distant towards them. The doctor asks about their dinner plans, offering to send food through his cook, but the main character declines, repeating their mother's words about having enough food to feed a village.
With Dr. Delacruz's help, the main character becomes better at navigating the slope to the squatters' colony. On one visit, they discover a gathering of squatters outside Annelise's shack, and the main character learns that it's a tradition to sprinkle girls with water after their time of month since they are not allowed to bathe in the creek. The main character offers Annelise the use of their house, and Dr. Delacruz praises them for their kindness.
Over time, Dr. Delacruz and the main character assist Annelise during her banned bathing periods, taking turns doing the laundry while she rests. The main character begins to imagine a future in which Dr. Delacruz becomes their father and marries their mother. They see their interactions in a new light , as if they were courtship rituals.
As the fiesta approaches, Annelise suggests they bring their petitions to the Virgin Mary early, before the church becomes crowded. They visit a plaster replica of the Virgin outside the church, and Annelise tells the main character to be specific in their prayers. They pray for Dr. Delacruz to become their father and win their mother's heart.
Finally, the day of the fiesta arrives, and the main character's prayer for a soap-operatic surprise that would change their life remains unanswered. The story ends with the festivities of the fiesta about to begin.
Dr. Delacruz and Danny visit Annelise at the hospital, where they spend time together reading and listening to the radio. Danny confides in Annelise about their hopes for their mother and Dr. Delacruz, envisioning a future where they all live together in Dr. Delacruz's big house.
As Dr. Delacruz continues to be involved in their lives, Danny starts noticing signs that they hadn't recognized before. However, tensions arise when they return home and find Danny's mother in a distressed state. She is upset because she doesn't have enough money to pay the servants and is arguing with them about accepting half-empty bottles and gifts instead. Dr. Delacruz intervenes and provides the servants with money from his own pocket.
Amidst the argument, the truth about Danny's birth is revealed. Dr. Delacruz discloses that he prescribed a German pill to Danny's mother to alleviate her pregnancy symptoms, but it caused Danny's disability. He expresses remorse for his actions and offers to help Danny and their mother in any way he can. Danny's mother reacts with shock and disbelief, urging Danny to believe her and not Dr. Delacruz.
Overwhelmed by the revelations, Danny feels their beliefs and hopes shattering. They begin to question whether their physical condition and Annelise's are simply natural defects that can be corrected through science. Feeling betrayed, they retreat to their forbidden room and begin ransacking it in search of answers or a clue to explain their shattered reality. Their mother finds them there and weeps as she witnesses the destruction.
Filled with shame and exhaustion, Danny decides they can no longer console their mother or trust the adults who have kept them in the dark. Seeking solace for themselves, they turn to the only source they know—the rain-soaked world outside. On the last day of school, despite the heavy rainfall, they insist on seeing Annelise home. As they navigate the muddy ravine, Danny observes the children playing in the rain, struggling to maintain their balance. In that moment, they glimpse a world where everyone is grappling with the bodies they've been given and find beauty and solace in that shared struggle.
The story concludes with Danny and Annelise finding shelter under a solitary scrap of tin, as they face the challenges brought by the monsoons and contemplate the future ahead.